Havasupai, Arizona: Hiking to Havasu and Mooney Falls

I feel incredibly lucky to have made it out to Havasupai, Arizona — one of those trips that lives up to the hype and then some.

The hike

Getting to Havasupai means earning it. I made the trek with an amazing group of friends after hanging out in Phoenix, and the miles of desert trail leading down into the canyon were worth every step the moment the first waterfall came into view. There’s nothing quite like watching turquoise water appear in the middle of the desert.

Mooney Falls

Mooney Falls is the showstopper of the hike — a dramatic, roaring drop that you climb down alongside via chains and ladders bolted into the canyon wall. It’s not for the faint of heart, but the view from the bottom makes the nerves completely worth it.

Havasu Falls

Havasu Falls is the one everyone pictures when they think of Havasupai, and in person it’s even more surreal — impossibly blue-green water pouring over red rock in the middle of the Arizona desert. I shot this trip on a mix of my Canon 5D Mark III with a Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 and Canon 50mm f/1.4, plus a waterproof Olympus Tough Stylus and my phone for the moments the good gear had to stay dry.

If hiking into the desert for turquoise waterfalls and golden canyon light sounds like your kind of adventure, Havasupai is worth every blistered step — and I’d love to help you capture it.

Frequently asked questions

How do you get to Havasupai, Arizona?

Havasupai is reached by a multi-mile hike down into the canyon from the trailhead near Supai — there’s no drive-up access, so be ready to earn the view.

Is the hike to Mooney Falls difficult?

Yes — reaching the base of Mooney Falls involves climbing down chains and ladders bolted into the canyon wall, so it’s best for hikers comfortable with some exposure.

What’s good camera gear for a Havasupai hike?

A versatile setup travels best — this trip was shot with a Canon 5D Mark III, a couple of prime and zoom lenses, and a waterproof point-and-shoot for the falls themselves.

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